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Jul 16, 2023

HSE Safety Alert

Department Name: Field Operations Directorate/ Construction Sector Bulletin No: FOD 2 - 2014 Issue Date: 20 February 2014 Target Audience: Tower crane owners and users, Construction, Engineering,

Department Name:Field Operations Directorate/ Construction Sector

Bulletin No: FOD 2 - 2014

Issue Date:20 February 2014

Target Audience: Tower crane owners and users, Construction, Engineering, Entertainment and Leisure, HID, Manufacturing, Nuclear, Offshore

Key Issues: Placing luffing jib tower cranes in a safe out of service condition

Following the recent collapse of three luffing jib tower cranes in high winds, HSE is making this information available to tower crane users as supplementary guidance to that contained in BS7121 Part 5:2006, Code of practice for safe use of cranes -Tower cranes. This information is issued without prejudice to any ongoing investigations.

HSE is using this alert to remind those who operate tower cranes that when left unattended in the out-of service condition, luffing jib cranes must be in free slew with the jib at a safe out-of- service radius.

HSE has identified that some tower crane users have not been releasing the slew brake and/or placing the jib at the correct out of service radius, when leaving cranes out of service and unattended.

If luffing jib cranes are left out of service with the slew brake engaged and/or the jib parked at too small a radius, there is a possibility the crane may not be able to weathervane freely in high winds. This could result in very high loadings being placed on the crane with the consequential collapse of the jib or the whole crane.

Users must

BS7121 Part 5:2006, Code of practice for safe use of cranes -Tower cranes

Construction Plant Hire Association guidance (www.cpa.uk.net)

Health and Safety ExecutiveFOD CD Cons Policy and Sector UnitRose Court2 Southwark BridgeSE1 9HS

Please pass this information to a colleague who may have or use this equipment.